Sand Springs Museum hopes to host world-famous Blue Dog art exhibit

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum could soon host an internationally-acclaimed series of paintings by George Rodrigue. 

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum could soon house a world-famous series of paintings by George Rodrigue. Northwoods Fine Arts Academy teacher Jennifer Barretto recently secured permission to display the art, but first she has to find a way to get it here.

Though the George Rodrigue Foundation has agreed to donate the art for a three-month exhibit next winter, it has to be transported, insured, and protected along its journey. Rodrigue's world-famous Blue Dog paintings are valued at no less than $60,000 apiece, meaning the small Sand Springs museum will have to provide both alarm hooks and security guards for the duration of the visit.

Inspired by the Cajun legend of the loup-garou, Rodrigue's Blue Dog series catapulted him to international acclaim when it was used in an advertising campaign by Absolut Vodka in the early 1990s. Rodrigue passed in 2013 after a battle with lung cancer. His funeral services were open to the public and held at the historic St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.

The loup-garou was a Cajun adaptation of the french rougarou, or werewolf. The creature, who typically has a human body and and canine head, is said to prowl the swamps around New Orleans. In some legends he hunts down Catholics who disobey the rules of Lent. In other tales he punishes misbehaving Cajun children. 

The Blue Dog is more "man's best friend" than occult phenomenon, sharing the stance and shape of Rodrigue's deceased pet, Tiffany. Barretto's class has spent much of the year learning about Rodrigue's work and imitating it with their own Blue Dog-inspired art. 

Barretto believes that the display could draw thousands of visitors to Sand Springs from across the region. In addition to the cultural impact it would have on the community, she believes it will also be a financial stimulus for local shops and restaurants.

The Sand Springs Museum has until August 1st to secure the funding for the exhibit, which would arrive in November. According to Barretto, it would mark the first time that Rodrigue's work has ever been displayed in the State of Oklahoma. Rodrigue's widow, Wendy, and son Jacques will also be on hand to share stories of George.

Sand Springs native actor and musician Sam Harris has gotten involved in the project and has released two promotional videos encouraging people to donate to the cause. Harris has starred on television, film, and even Broadway. 

"Art is more than just something pretty or interesting," says Harris. "It is a personal experience...only bound by the imagination of the artist and the viewer. For kids it's really important...it's a foundation for creativity and for critical thinking, things that will stay with them for the rest of their lives."

A GoFundMe account has been set up by Barretto that has already begun receiving donations. To view the page and make a donation, click here.

A look back at Sand Springs's biggest stories in 2017

Sandites enjoy a free concert from The Rogues Five at Riverfest.

From high school athletics to a growing economy and quality of living improvements, the history books will look on 2017 as a pivotal year in Sand Springs. Here's a look back at some of the biggest stories around town. 

Jan. 19 – USDA rolls out new Rural Development loan opportunities for Sand Springs area. – Read More.

Jan. 19 - CPHS Wrestling team pins entire U.S. Grant team in fourteen minutes and two seconds, setting national record for fastest dual won entirely by pin. - Read More. 

Feb. 01 – Ray Brown Park receives $37,000 renovation. – Read More.

Feb. 11 - CPHS Wrestling team wins first-ever Dual State Championship 40-26 over Broken Arrow.  - Read More.

Feb. 25 - Riley Weir, Daton Fix, Jack Karstetter, Beau Bratcher, and Payton Scott win individual State Titles and lead Sand Springs to their first State Wrestling Championship since 1971. - Read More.

Feb. 27 - ALDI grocery store and St. Francis Warren Clinic & Urgent Care announce plans to open new locations in River West Development. ALDI is new to community, Warren Clinic is relocating from Charles Page Boulevard. - Read More.

Mar. 02 - CPHS Womens' Basketball wins Area Championship to advance to State Tournament for first time since 2011. - Read More.

Mar. 06 – Rusty Gunn elected as Board of Education President, Mike Mullins sworn into new term on Board. – Read More.

Mar. 22 – Chinowth and Cohen opens new Prattville location.

Mar. 27 - Sand Springs City Council authorizes new murals and $1.5 million Prattville Fire Station. - Read More.

Apr. 04 – Payless ShoeSource announces shuttering of Sand Springs and Sapulpa locations. – Read More.

Apr. 05 – CPHS Winter Percussion wins State Championship. – Read More.

Apr. 19 – El Maguey Mexican Restaurant relocates to new building in River West. – Read More.

Apr. 20 – Tim Wright, Larry Hurst, and Dr. Stacey Butterfield are inducted into Sand Springs Education Association Hall of Fame. – Read More.

Apr. 22 – Herbal Affair co-founder Sandi Byerly receives Hometown Hero Award. – Read More.

May 02 - Individual Career Academic Plan bill authored by Jadine Nollan is signed into law. - Read More.

May 08 - Mike Burdge elected to 12th term as Mayor, Beau Wilson elected as Vice-Mayor. - Read More.

May 12 - Morgan Ganem releases new album, Paradise. - Read More.

May 13 - Aden Baughman wins 800-meter Track State Championship, Cheyenne Walden wins eighth and ninth State Championships. - Read More.

May 13 – Sand Springs graduates 392 in Class of 2017 – Read More.

May 16 - Hannah Rose releases More Than Conquerors EP. - Read More.

May 21 - CPHS Fishing Club wins Oklahoma Bass Nation State Championship. - Read More.

May 26 – Dog and Duck Antiques opens at 21 East 2nd Street, expanding from booth space in Vintage Stables on Main. – Read More.

Jun. 01 – The Ground Floor Salon opens at Village Square.

Jun. 06 – State Senator Dan Newberry resigns seat seven months after reelection. – Read More.

Jun. 08 – OSU Medicine opens in Shops at Adams Road.

Jun. 24 – EuroMotor Extravaganza returns to Sand Springs after five-year hiatus. – Read More.

Jun. 24 – Historic Twin Cities Elementary is demolished after nearly a century. – Read More.

Jun. 26 – Sand Springs City Council evicts Round Up Club from River City Park. – Read More.

Jul. 09 - Janeway Castle Stone Estate & Venue opens in Sand Springs. - Read More.

Jul. 10 - Sand Springs's Janet Johnson named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist. - Read More.

Jul. 11 - James Garrison hired as new CPHS Head Baseball Coach.- Read More.

Jul. 21 – Carter Young wins Cadet Greco-Roman National Championship. – Read More.

Jul. 29 – Aden Baughman wins National Championship in 800-meter run. – Read More.

Aug. 01 – Daton Fix wins Junior Freestyle World Championship. – Read More.

Sep. 09 – Case Community Park unveiled with all-day Riverfest celebration after $6.2 million renovation. – Read More.

Sep. 13 – Edward Jones agent Casey Loper relocates Sand Springs office to new building. – Read More.

Sep. 30 – YellowHouse Market & Boutique relocates to historic downtown Chastain’s building, buying out DejaVu Décor.

Oct. – Prattville Braums and QuikTrip are demolished, work begins on larger, newer facilities. – Read More.

Oct 11. – Colton’s Steak House and Grill breaks ground in River West development. – Read More.

Oct. 21 – CPHS Boys’ Cross Country team qualifies for State for first time in school history. – Read More.

Oct. 27 – Payton Scott sets school rushing record with 507 yards against Bartlesville. – Read More.

Nov. 02 – Stage department store relocates to former May’s Drug Warehouse building. – Read More.

Nov. 04 – It’s Just a Girl Thing Boutique opens in Prattville.

Nov. 08 - OkieSpice & Trade Co. celebrates grand opening in Sand Springs. – Read More.

Nov. 14 – Voters approve $18 million in General Obligation Bond packages. – Read More.

Nov. 14 – Democrat Allison Ikley-Freeman wins Senate District 37 seat vacated by Republican Dan Newberry. – Read More.

Nov. 28 – Downtown Sand Springs hosts inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. – Read More.

Nov. 28 – WSB Homes opens in downtown Sand Springs. – Read More.

Dec. – Philip D. Smith publishes new book, From Praha to Prague. - Read More.

Dec. 01 – Rod’s Books and Relics hosts inaugural Christmas Parade of Books. – Read More.

Dec. 12 – Sand Springs breaks ground on new Prattville Fire Station. – Read More.

Dec. 17 – The House of Hair and Boutique opens on Livi Lee’s Corner. 

Dec. 27 – YellowHouse Market & Boutique, Sarah and Kyle Baumann win inaugural Sandite Pride Christmas Light Contest. – Read More.

Dec. 29 – El Patron Cocina Mexicana opens in Shops at Adams Road. – Read More.

CPHS Winter Fine Arts Showcase set for this Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Charles Page High School will host the 2017 Winter Fine Arts Showcase this Thursday evening, featuring performances by the Sand Springs Community Band and the High School Choir, Band, and Drama Departments.

The evening will start with a $5.00 Spaghetti dinner at 5:00 p.m. and the Community Band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a basket raffle taking place throughout the evening.

Local authors host book-signing in downtown Sand Springs at Christmas Parade

Rod's Books and Relics and the Yesterday Shop in downtown Sand Springs is hosting a Parade of Books to coincide with the Chamber of Commerce 35th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade on Friday. 

The antique and used book store will host their first-ever book signing event with former Sand Springs Leader Editor Tara Lynn Thompson and several other local authors. The writers will be set up on the 2nd Street sidewalk in front of The Yesterday Shop from 4:00 p.m. till the conclusion of the parade. 

"As the news editor in Sand Springs for four years, as well as simply a resident for about a decade, I fell in love with Sand Springs," says Thompson. "(I want) to reconnect with Sand Springs and give back to the town that helped me so much in my career." Thompson is the author of the Another Series and has published two books with a third on the way. She released Not Another Superhero in 2015 and Just Another Sidekick this year. 

Michael Staires (Tulsa) will be signing copies of A Long Ride Home, a western novel following Billy Christian and his journey into manhood.

Robert E. Parks will be signing copies of his adventure novel MID Knight. TC Stevens leads a team of undercover FBI agents to prevent an old nemesis from acquiring a weapon of mass destruction. 

Peter Biadasz (Tulsa) will be signing copies of Write Your First Book, a self-help guide to turning good ideas into great books with sections on crafting a story, publishing, marketing and sales, and turning speeches into books. 

Brandon Baumgarten (Oilton) will sign copies of Caught Up & Called Out, a self-help book on how to become the leader you were meant to be. 

Jeff South (Broken Arrow) will be signing copies of children's book Kilroy Was Here, the story of a security guard for a private space portal who has to rescue his coworker and prevent aliens from turning the Earth into a resort. 

Anna Myers (Chandler) will be signing copies of her children's book, The Grave Robber's Secret. Set in nineteenth-century Philadelphia, the novel tells of Robby Hare, son of a grave robber, as he tries to expose a fiendish plot involving his father.

Selena McCroskey (Stillwater) will be signing copies of her children's book Patch, the story of a lonesome little scrap of fabric that ventures across the sewing room floor, looking for a place to belong. 

Peggy Perry Anderson (Tulsa) will be signing copies of her Green Light Readers Level 1 children's books. She has published a dozen titles, including Joe on the Go, Let's Clean Up, Out to Lunch, and Chuck's Truck. 

"Rod, his wife Cyndi, and I area all hoping this becomes the first of many years to come of holding a Parade of Books," said Thompson. Each author's table will be decorated with Christmas lights and authors will be answering questions, shaking hands, and offering their wisdom and advice to other aspiring writers. 

The Christmas parade will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the authors will be on hand throughout the event.

Organizers call Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony a success

Mayor Mike Burdge speaks at the Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Holiday Season kicked off with a bang Tuesday night in downtown Sand Springs as larger-than-expected crowds turned out for the first known Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in town history. 

The inaugural event drew more than a thousand attendees to shop local, eat local, and watch Mayor Mike Burdge flip the ceremonial switch to kick off the 2017 Christmas season. 

The event grew from seed to harvest in a mere three weeks after local cosmetologist Joni Sporleder invited fellow business owners to her shop, Joni's on the Triangle, earlier this month. Representatives from Blush Hair Salon, YellowHouse Market & Boutique, Rod's Books and Relics, the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, Sandite Pride News, Dog and Duck Antiques, and Yesterday To Now Antiques were joined by realtor Jennifer Barretto and Santa Claus entertainer Glen Burkett to brainstorm and begin the rushed planning process.

More than 3,000 lights illuminate a tree at the downtown Triangle for the Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Sand Springs Parks Department graciously and meticulously decorated a tree on the Triangle with more than 3,000 lights, wrapping every single branch. 

Mrs. Marshall's Voice Studio and Olivet Baptist Church choir led the town in Christmas caroling while Three Feather's Catering, Lee's Charburgers, Monie Horsechief Indian Tacos, and Kettle Treats fed the crowd. 

Many downtown members of the newly-formed Small Business Coalition will be open later hours on Tuesdays from now on, and the success of the event has the organization planning future entertainment on the Triangle. In addition to looking at festivities for the holidays, they also want to host concerts throughout the year. 

The Christmas festivities will continue downtown this Friday beginning with the Inaugural Parade of Books at Rod's Books and Relics at 4:00 p.m. More than a dozen local authors will be selling books, giving autographs, and answering questions from fans, supporters, and aspiring writers. At 7:00 p.m. the 35th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade will meander through downtown.

Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to kick off at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday

This Tuesday marks what many Sand Springs residents and business owners hope will become an annual tradition. A tree in the downtown Triangle Park has been decked out in more than 3,000 lights and at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Mike Burdge will flip the switch to kick off the holiday season.

Originally the brain child of Joni Sporleder, the event has been coordinated by the City Parks Department, Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, and the newly-formed Sand Springs Small Business Coalition. 

As part of the City of Sand Springs's ongoing efforts to brand Sand Springs as a tourist destination, several small business owners and concerned citizens have made it a goal to promote holiday activities throughout the month of December and to try and draw shoppers and diners back to the heart of the community.

From 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mrs. Marshall Voice Studio choir will be caroling, then the Olivet Baptist Church choir will take over from 6:45 to 7:00. Mayor Burdge will speak and turn on the lights, then Olivet will resume caroling till 7:30. 

From 6:00 to 8:00 WSB Homes will host Birch Studio and artist Jade Crawford along with cocoa and hot cider. The architecture company is located on the triangle at 2 East Broadway Street.

Joni's on the Triangle hair salon will have cookies and hot chocolate at 211 North Main Street, and multiple food trucks will be on hand. Three Feathers Catering will be serving up the barbecue recipes made famous by Papa Pat, and Lee's Charburgers will be selling their selections from the historic Lee's Diner.

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum will be open with their annual "Art of Giving" Christmas tree display. For $1.00 visitors can vote for their favorite tree, with each tree being sponsored by a local charitable organization. 

Several "Snapped in Sand Springs" photo booths are located downtown, including Beau Wilson Insurance (17 East 2nd Street), Blush Hair and Makeup Lounge (208 North Main Street), Inez Kirk City-Garden Park (101 East Broadway), City Hall (100 East Broadway), Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service (211 East Broadway), Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce (1 West 1st Street), Security Finance (15 East 2nd Street), Vintage Stables on Main (115 North Main Street), and YellowHouse Market and Boutique (122 North Main Street). 

A small "Sandite Santa" figurine will be hidden in various businesses around downtown Sand Springs through December 20th. Patrons who find the Santa can take a picture with it and post the photo to the "Shop Small, Sand Springs" facebook page for a chance to win a prize basket. 

A Crafty Christmas will return to the Shops at Adams Road Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Friday they will have free Santa photos from 5:00 to 6:00. 

Also on Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Rod's Books and Relics will host their inaugural Parade of Books with more than a dozen local authors doing autographs and taking questions. The 35th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade will be that evening at 7:00 p.m. 

SEE RELATED: Downtown Sand Springs to host local authors for Christmas Parade of Books

Downtown Sand Springs to host local authors for Christmas Parade of Books

Rod's Books and Relics and the Yesterday Shop in downtown Sand Springs will be hosting a Parade of Books to coincide with the Chamber of Commerce 35th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade this Friday. The downtown area is seeing increased Christmas festivities this year as the city looks to brand itself as a tourist destination.

The antique and used book store will host their first-ever book signing event with former Sand Springs Leader Editor Tara Lynn Thompson and a dozen other local authors. The writers will be set up on the 2nd Street sidewalk in front of The Yesterday Shop beginning at 4:00 p.m.

"As the news editor in Sand Springs for four years, as well as simply a resident for about a decade, I fell in love with Sand Springs," says Thompson. "(I want) to reconnect with Sand Springs and give back to the town that helped me so much in my career."

Thompson is the author of the "Another Series" and has published two books with a third on the way. She released "Not Another Superhero" in 2015 and "Just Another Sidekick" this year. 

The Christmas parade will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the authors will be on hand throughout the event. Genres represented include Young Adult, Mystery, Self-Help, Children's literature, Adult Fiction, Romance, and more. Event organizers are encouraging more authors to come and are accepting applications till Wednesday. 

"Rod, his wife Cyndi, and I area all hoping this becomes the first of many years to come of holding a Parade of Books," said Thompson. Each author's table will be decorated with Christmas lights and authors will be answering questions, shaking hands, and offering their wisdom and advice to other aspiring writers. 

 

CPHS Gold Pride performs in Tulsa Veterans Day Parade, 3 Sandites make All-District

The Charles Page High School Gold Pride marching band participated in the 99th Annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Tulsa on Friday, November 10th. This year's theme was "Generations of Service." 

After marching in the parade the band returned to school before loading up to travel to Midwest City to support the football team in their first round play-off game. 

The band recently ended their competition season with an "Excellent" overall rating at the OSSAA East Regional Marching Contest. Over the course of the season the Sandites also placed fourth at the Southwest Missouri Regional in Branson, and took home first prize at the Pryor Band Day.

Additionally, three band members earned First Chair honors at the Northeast Oklahoma Band Directors Association (NDBA) All-District Auditions. Kristin Shipley made the Symphonic Band for Oboe, Josh Stuckey made the Symphonic Band for Tenor Saxophone, and Jake Thompson made the Wind Ensemble for French Horn. Those three will advance to the All-State tryouts on December 2nd. 

 

Photos by Tristia Watson.

Famed journalist, Disney voice actor Michael Wallis visits Northwoods Academy in Sand Springs

Famed Route 66 historian, journalist, and Disney voice actor Michael Wallis visited students at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy Wednesday morning. The Cars star spoke to second-grade classes about the many paths of creativity he has pursued in life and shared highlights of his career.

Some of Wallis's works include David Crockett: The Lion of the West, Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride, and Route 66: The Mother Road. He has also had works published in Time, Life, People, Smithsonian, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. 

Wallis is the recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award, the Will Rogers Spirit Award, and numerous others. He was the first inductee into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame and is a member of the Writers Hall of Fame of America, the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. 

Wallis's popularity as a historian and journalist earned him the opportunity to voice Sheriff in the Disney-Pixar Cars franchise. A native Missourian, Wallis currently lives in Tulsa with his wife, Suzanne Fitzgerald Wallis. 

Wallis spoke about his early writing experiences and the time he wrote a story about a school-patrol boy for a contest. He was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper and got to meet the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team when he was a kid. After riding in a limousine to a Cardinals-Cubs game and watching from the dugout, he decided that writing was a career worth pursuing.

After finishing college and a stent in the U.S. Marine Corps, he began his career as a journalist and correspondent. After a few years in the field he got to interview famed pop artist Andy Warhol, who the Northwoods kids have been studying in recent weeks. Wallis spent several days shadowing Warhol and getting to know him. 

"My expectations of him were wrong," said Wallis. "I wasn't quite sure how he would be, but it turned out he was very much like I was when I was eleven years old. He was very shy, and he was already a famous artist...It happened for him, just like me, when he was a little boy."

Wallis also talked about how he first visited Tulsa on a work trip and staying in the Mayo Hotel penthouse before it closed in the early 1980s. During the trip he fell in love with the Arkansas River, the downtown art-deco architecture, and Route 66.

Speaking about the Cars franchise he told the kids "We taught Lightning McQueen that it's okay to be a race car, but sometimes you also need to slow down, to get off the highway and visit the small towns."

Students from Jennifer Barretto's art class gifted Wallis with drawings and art they created with Route 66 themes.

Boo on Broadway is a hit in downtown Sand Springs

The Seventh Annual Boo on Broadway Halloween festival went off without a hitch Sunday in downtown Sand Springs.

For the first time since its inception, the festivities were hosted by the Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance. This year did away with the Coffin Race tradition, but had record-high participation from both volunteers and attendees. 

Olivet Baptist Church, State Farm Agent Steve Lane, the Sand Springs Police Department, Hillspring Church, Word of Life church, and Church That Matters were just a few of the many organizations involved. 

About thirty tents, booths, and car trunks were set up around the Sand Springs Triangle Park along with inflatables, games, and even a dunk tank. The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum was open for the first half of the festival, and City Councilor Patty Dixon said more than a thousand people came through the building before they ran out of candy. 

Click here to view our photo gallery.

 

CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band earns Fourth Place at prestigious Branson tournament

Photos courtesy of Todd Hunt.

This past weekend, the Charles Page High School Marching Band competed at the 3rd Annual Southwest Missouri Regional in Branson, MO and brought home several awards.  On October 14th, the Gold Pride band was one of 14 bands performing at the SWMO Regional.  During the preliminary round of judging, CPHS band was awarded 1st place in Class and Best Music, Best Percussion & Best Overall Effect!  For the finals, the Gold Pride was awarded 4th place overall and Best in Class!

CPHS Drumline takes 1st Place at Pryor, Gold Pride Marching Band places 6th overall

The Charles Page High School Gold Pride Marching Band took 6th place at the Pryor Band Day. (Photo: Tristia Watson). 

On Saturday, September 30th, the Charles Page High School Band competed in the 41st Annual Pryor Band Day in Pryor, OK.  Sixteen bands from around the state competed for Outstanding Color Guard, Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Drum Majors and the overall Field Competition.

In the preliminary round, the CPHS Drumline took 1st place in the 6A schools' competition. The band was then selected to participate in the Finals round and ended the night with a 6thplace overall. Pryor Band Day is the first of several competitions that the band will attended this season and we look forward to seeing the results of the hard work and dedication that they put into their performances.

Drum Majors Brandi Sigala, Laura Loomis, and Jake Thompson lead the band onto the field for competition. (Photo: Tristia Watson).

CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band to compete in 3rd Annual Southwest Missouri Regional

The Charles Page High School Marching Band will be competing at the Third Annual Southwest Missouri Regional in Branson, Missouri on October 14th. The competition is presented by the Pride of Branson Bands in partnership with US Bands, the largest sanctioning body for scholastic music competition in the United States.

US Bands are part of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA!) which is a non-profit organization based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. They are also the parent organization for The Cadets; 10-Time World Champion Drum and Bugle Corps. 

The Gold Pride band is one of sixteen bands performing at the SWMO Regional and it should be another year of top-tier performances, a nationally-renown judging panel, detailed feedback and evaluation, and a superb performance venue in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

Competition will take place in a Prelims-Finals format with the highest-scoring band from each class continuing on to the Finals, along with the next eight highest-scoring bands regardless of class. 

The event is hosted at Branson High School (935 P Rd 65-60, Branson, MO 65616). Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from CPHS Band Director Kyle Wright (kyle.wright@sandites.org) prior to the competition. The band would love to have their fans in the stand during this extraordinary competition! Come join us in Branson for a day of exceptional performances!

Pokemon Go! to the park this Saturday!

The Sand Springs Pokémon Go Club is teaming up with the Sand Springs Parks Department to bring a painted rock scavenger hunt to Case Community Park Saturday morning. The event is just one of several activities that park-goers can participate in as the park celebrates a $6.2 million renovation with an all-day Riverfest.

The park opens at sunrise with a hot air balloon launch. Festival attendees will have until 3:00 p.m. to find the rocks. They can either collect the rocks and turn them in, or take a picture and leave it for someone else to find. 

A check in station will be located near the softball complex for participants to turn in rocks or tally photos. 

Riverfest will also be having a car, truck, and motorcycle show, a concert with Morgan Ganem and the Rogues Five, a sidewalk chalk-art contest, a fireworks show and other festivities throughout the day. 

Parking is limited and a $10 fee will be charged in the afternoon. 

Great Raft Race adds Sand Sculpture Contest, rental crafts, and School Challenge

The Great Tulsa Raft Race hosted a press conference Friday morning to announce four new additions to this year's event.

The Sand Sculpture contest that ran for more than a decade through the 1980s and 1990s will return. The contest reportedly drew a thousand competitors at its peak and was featured on Good Morning America in 1991. World Champion sand sculptor John Gowdy is expected to present a Tulsa-themed piece at the race's finish line and will judge the competition.

Kayaks and inflatable rafts will also be available for rent for the first time through the Raft Race website. Registration for the event ends August 15th for both contestants and renters. In addition to renting a craft for the full race, participants will also be able to rent kayaks at the finish line.

Three weeks prior to the event there will be a pre-party presented by the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation at Fuel 66. Full details on that event are yet to be announced.

American Airlines Government Affairs liaison Chase Beasley announced a new STEM Challenge for area schools. The Regional STEM alliance will create a curriculum around raft building, while American Airlines Engineers will partner with KKT Architects to assist ten schools in the construction of their vessel. American Airlines will provide the entry fee for the student teams, but raft materials will not be provided. 

Raft Race officials will aim to select a diverse group of schools, including Tulsa Public Schools, Sand Springs, and other neighboring districts. Student teams must include five to ten participants including one adult. All students must be 12 years or older. 

The Tulsa tradition ran from 1973 to 1991 before being resurrected in 2015. The Labor Day race will launch in Case Community Park in Sand Springs and will end at the River West Festival Park in Tulsa.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum spoke at the event and announced his intentions to participate in the race. "We're doing so much right now to make this revitalized as the defining natural asset that we have here in Tulsa...For generations people were able to utilize the Arkansas River as a point of recreation, and last year the citizens overwhelmingly said 'we want that again.'"

"This is one day out of 365 that we get to use the river for recreation. Think about what it's going to be like here in a few years when you can use it any day of the year," said Bynum.

The official T-shirt for the event was also announced. The mermaid design will be the official shirt received in the registration package, but the runner-up design will also be available for purchase.

Participants can register for the race and find more information at www.tulsaraftrace.com.

Residents give their opinions on Sand Springs in online survey

In the fall of 2015, the City of Sand Springs launched an online survey for residents of Sand Springs. More than 600 individuals responded, representing more than 3% of the population.

43.9% of residents view the image of Sand Springs as Good. 19.7% of residents have a negative view of the City. 44.5% of residents believe non-residents have a Below Average view of the City. 55.4% of residents believe non-residents have a positive image of Sand Springs.

28.4% of residents rank the quality of life in the city as High, 66.9% ranked it as Moderate, and 4.7% ranked it as Low.

79.8% over residents rank the quality of Public Safety as above average. 1.2% rank it as below average. 82.9% of residents are satisfied with Police services in Sand Springs while 1.8% are dissatisfied. 90.6% of residents feel safe while walking alone in their neighborhood. 71.3% of residents feel safe walking in downtown Sand Springs at night.

85.9% of residents are satisfied with Fire response services. 84.9% of residents are satisfied with the Emergency response service provided by the Fire Department.

49.3% of residents would definitely support a funding mechanism to hire additional police and fire personnel. 44.5% would possibly support it, and 6.1% would not support it. 

85.4% of residents are satisfied with the variety of housing for sale. 63.9% of residents are satisfied with the variety of housing for rent. 81.6% of residents are satisfied with the overall condition of housing.

76.5% of residents have a favorable view of the appearance of downtown. 74.7% of residents are satisfied with the appearance of the business areas outside of downtown. 

89.9% of residents sited Additional Retail/Restaurants as the primary development need in Sand Springs. 75.4% of residents listed Hardware/Home Improvement as the top retail need in Sand Springs. 93.2% of residents desire more Sit-down Establishments. 49.3% of residents visit Tulsa to eat very frequently. 

46.3% of residents would definitely like to see an increase in establishments providing night life opportunities. 71.1% of residents would definitely support the redevelopment of old industrial areas as something else other than industrial.

47.5% of residents definitely support the construction of the Sand Springs Dam, 43.9% would possibly support it, and 8.6% would not support it. 64.3% of residents would definitely support development of the Arkansas River, 30.9% would possibly support it, and 4.8% would not support it.

51% of residents definitely support a system of city-wide trails, 41.2% would possibly support it, and 7.8% are opposed. 

35.9% of residents would like to see additional Residential Development West of town, 31.6% said South of town, 24.4% said North of town, and 8.1% said East of town. 70.3% of residents are in favor of the annexation of additional lands into City Limits. 34.8% of residents support additional multi-family apartment complexes, with 24.9% opposed. 

25.7% of residents are dissatisfied with the Sand Springs Parks and Recreational Opportunities. 36.1% are dissatisfied with the quantity/quality of parks in Prattville. 33.5% are dissatisfied with the quantity/quality of parks on the North side.

73.6% of residents cited a need for the demolition or redevelopment of blighted areas. 35.4% of residents said the Street and Road Conditions were in the greatest need of public improvement. 59.8% of residents believe Sand Springs road conditions are the same as other communities, while 27.6% believe they are better and 12.7% believe they are worse.

If public funding is required to improve the city, 66.1% of residents would support a dedicated sales tax, 33.1% would support a revenue bond, 31.2% would support a property tax, 21.6% would support development fees, and 15.8% would support a surcharge on utilities. 

City of Sand Springs approves new comprehensive plan for next fifteen years

The Sand Springs City Council recently voted to adopt a new "Sand Springs 2030 Land Use Master Plan," updating the city comprehensive plan for the first time since 2002. City employees first began the new plan in fall of 2015 and it was approved by the City Planning Commission in May.

The plan hopes to anticipate future development and provide a flexible tool for evaluating development proposals. 

Chapter I: Community History and Background

The first chapter of the plan is taken from Carl E. Gregory's The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. The chapter recounts the tale of Charles Page's acquisition of wealth and land, his charitable exploits, and his steps to develop the community that would become Sand Springs.

The town began with the relocation of a failing orphanage, the construction of the Sand Springs Home, the founding of the eighty-acre Sand Springs Park, the formation of the Sand Springs Railway, and finally the incorporation of the City in 1912 with approximately 400 citizens. 

Charles Page's generosity included the offering of free land to citizens and a $20,000 relocation bonus for companies. In 1918 he established a "Widow's Colony" alongside the Home. He recruited the relocation of the  Kerr Glass Manufacturing Company, Commander Mills, Southwest Box Company, and Sinclair Prairie Refineries. Less than ten years after its incorporation, the community had grown to more than 4,000 individuals.

In 1965 the City annexed the Prattville community on the south side of the Arkansas River, and in 1969 the City chartered a Council-Manager form of government.

Chapter II: Plan Development

In the fall of 2015, the Planning Department launched a community survey that received more than 600 participants. In the summer of 2016 an interactive map was presented to the community, allowing them to identify what type of development they would like to see in which parts of the community. It received over a hundred suggestions, including a revitalization effort along Charles Page Boulevard and a desire to see the site of the former Gerdau Steel Mill utilized.

Following the community surveys, input was also requested from each of the City departments regarding their needs and desires. Community property owners were contacted regarding their desires for undeveloped properties under their ownership, as well as developmental challenges and difficulties they have encountered. The public school district was consulted regarding future plans for growing the district. 

Chapter III: Social and Demographic Factors

The 2030 projected population by INCOG (Indian Nations Council of Governments) is 23,083 in Sand Springs. At the 2010 Census, Sand Springs had a total population of 18,906 residents, an increase of 8.3% from the 2000 population of 17,451. 

In 2010, the median age of Sand Springs was 36.5 years. The population was 81.8% white, 2.4% African-American, and 8.8% Native American. The average household had 2.63 occupants. The city had a higher employment rate than Tulsa County, Osage County, and the Tulsa Metro. The median household income in 2013 was $54,381, also higher than the Tulsa Metro, Tulsa County, and Osage County.

Chapter IV: Goals and Action Plan Strategies

Land Use

Goal 1: "Sand Springs will be a well-coordinated and planned community with uses that complement and support infrastructure improvements."

Goal 2: "Sand Springs will utilize sound land use planning principals that encourages the appropriate placement of a variety of housing, commercial, recreational, entertainment, and employment options throughout the community."

Goal 3: "The City will maintain land development regulations to manage future growth and development in a manner that protects environmental resources."

Quality of Life

Goal 1: "Sand Springs will be a community that encourages people to be active and healthy and that promotes healthy living and sustainability. This will be accomplished by providing opportunities for active living to all ages year round."

Goal 2: "Sand Springs will have a network of trails, sidewalks and bicycle transportation systems that safely connect parks, schools, libraries, neighborhoods, shopping areas, museums, and other historic sites."

Goal 3: "Sand Springs will be a community that has access to expanded health and wellness care, in addition to attempting to increase the availability of health food choices available to the community."

Goal 4: "The City shall be an aesthetically pleasing community based on a solid foundation of code enforcement and in seeking opportunities to improve zoning and development codes."

Goal 5: "Sand Springs shall have desirable/appealing parks offering recreational opportunities for the community."

Goal 6: "The City will strive to have park equality by providing its citizens throughout the City parks that are well manicured, maintained, and functional for optimal enjoyment."

Goal 7: "Develop Case Community Park into a regional destination by implementing strategically planned park improvements and enhancements, thus creating a public space that is inviting, functional, appealing, and sustainable."

Goal 8: "Continue to develop the Keystone Ancient Forest into a premiere nature preserve/hiking venue in the Tulsa Metropolitan Area."

Goal 9: "Develop City-owned Sports Facilities into premiere venues with top quality playing surfaces, lighting, and amenities."

Infrastructure

Goal 1: "The City of Sand Springs strives to meet or exceed requirements of the EPA and ODEQ regulations at all times in constructing, maintaining, and operating all Water Treatment Pumping, Distribution and Storage Facilities and Systems."

Goal 2: "The City of Sand Springs strives to meet or exceed requirements of the EPA and ODEQ - for providing contemporary and adequate treatment facilities & operations to meet or exceed effluent discharge quality requirements, while making appropriate accommodations for conveyance and collection systems for treatment.

Goal 3: "Plan for new street improvement projects that provide for priority replacements & upgrades to maintain the best possible drivability with sufficient number of lanes, and include provisions for maximum feasible multimodal mobility."

Goal 4: "Plan for rehabilitation/new improvement projects that provide for priority replacements & upgrades to maximize stormwater detention and drainage efficiency and capacity."

Goal 5: "Plan to be a City that takes preventative measures to prevent damaging of the Earth's ecosystems and in order to maintain a high quality of life Sand Springs citizens and the Tulsa Metropolitan Area by managing and disposing of their waste efficiently and safely."

Downtown Area

Goal 1: "Sand Springs shall have a lively, active, and pedestrian oriented downtown with a mix of uses such as restaurants/bars, boutiques, shops, offices, and housing.

Goal 2: "Reinforce and enhance the City's downtown as one of the primary focal points of the community."

Public Safety

Goal 1: "Sand Springs Emergency Services will have excellent law enforcement/firefighter customer service that meets the needs of the citizens now and in the future."

Goal 2: "Sand Springs shall be a community with safe neighborhoods, shopping, and employment areas."

Goal 3: "Sand Springs will proactively maintain/replace public safety technology, equipment, and fleets in order to provide an effective capable workforce."

Goal 4: "Develop, Design, and Construct a Municipal Safety Facility."

Goal 5: "Develop and Maintain a Community Policing Plan."

Economic Development

Goal 1: "The City of Sand Springs will strive to promote local commerce, trade, and commodities by strengthening working relationships with the local/regional Chamber of Commerce, existing businesses, and institutions."

Goal 2: "Aggressively pursue new local, regional, or national restaurant and retail businesses."

Goal 3: "Identify and complete projects that will beautify Sand Springs, assisting with marketing and economic development."

Goal 4: "Evaluate and consider the acquisition of real estate for future development purposes."

Goal 5: "Encourage and engage Subdivision and Multi-Family Developers/Developments."

Goal 6: "Develop an Economic Development website resource hub and strive to educate and advance the objective of all involved with the City to be involved in assisting with economic development as possible."

Goal 7: "Sand Springs will have a strong independent local economy that compliments the surrounding region but is not dependent on it."

Chapter V: Future Development Plan

"The Plan is a policy document that lays out the blueprint of how the community should grow over time and where certain uses should be placed relative to their intensity. Other factors such as underlying zoning patterns, adjoining communities land use plans, and future capital improvements also played a role in determining where the land use categories were placed. However, the plan is a plan and is not inflexible or concrete. From time to time, there will be certain uses that are proposed that will merit additional evaluation and create the possibility for Plan amendments."

Sand Springs City Council to vote on removing Round Up Club from River City Parks

The Sand Springs City Council will meet in a regular monthly meeting Monday night at 7:00 p.m. in the City Municipal Building. Immediately following the Council meeting, the Sand Springs Municipal Authority will meet in the same room. Council and Municipal meetings are open to public attendance and commentary.

One item on the Council's Consent Agenda is a recommendation from the Parks Advisory Board to terminate a Use Agreement with the Sand Springs Round Up Club (RUC).

The RUC is a nonprofit organization originally founded northwest of Sand Springs on Shell Creek Road in 1946. It was relocated to River City in 1971 during the administration of City Manager Royce Hunter.

According to the staff report filed with the City Council agenda, "the situation has eroded at the Sand Springs Round Up Club's (rodeo) facility to a point where they are no longer viable." 

"At the October 2016 meeting of the Park's Advisory Board (PAB), all clubs provided reports on their activities. Concerns were raised about the SSRUC's lack of events, attendance, and maintenance. They were asked to 'step it up.'"

"At the April 4, 2017 PAB meeting staff requested a notice to terminate the Use Agreement with the SSRUC. The PAB moved to allow the club approximately 90 additional days (including a big rodeo event on Memorial Day) to show good numbers; statistics, improve maintenance and the overall look of the grounds and more."

"The Memorial Weekend (Andy Downs) rodeo event was uneventful, with 121 counted attendees in the stands and a mere dozen more in the arena."

The Parks Board cited the growing success of other park tenants, most notably the West Side Alliance (WSA) and Sand Springs Soccer Club (SSSC). The annual WSA Cup regularly packs out both River City Parks and the West Bank Sports Complex in Tulsa.

"With near record high use in the park; with WSA Soccer Cup performing at the highest level to date and with requests by SSYFootball leaders and more for additional space the time has come to dedicate the approximate 3 acres of space to future 'higher and best use.' Additionally, the City can no longer support the expenditure of public (taxpayer) dollars to support the club's activities. In the short term, mixed use, multipurpose sports fields are planned there."

The Parks Board voted unanimously to recommend terminating the Use Agreement Contract no later than October 31, 2017. City Council will make the final decision Monday evening.

If the Use Agreement Contract is terminated, the RUC will have to remove all of their property from the facility and the City-owned property will be declared as surplus. Declaring the property as surplus will allow the City to demolish the the facility and auction off any valuable materials.

Other items on the agenda include:

  • Presentation of Mayoral Proclamation to Cheyenne Walden, recognizing her unprecedented success as a Charles Page High School Cross Country runner.
  • Acceptance of a $2 million check from Mike and Pat Case to be applied to the River City Park Improvements Project.
  • Purchase of four Police Pursuit Units for $99,474.00.
  • Appointments to various city boards and commissions.
  • Approval of a complete update to the City Comprehensive Plan.
  • Renaming of City Garden Park as Inez Kirk Garden Park.
  • Renaming of Inez Kirk Soccer Complex as the Roger S. Bush Soccer Complex.
  • Adopting the 2017 Sand Springs Policing Plan.
  • Approval of November 14, 2017 as the election date for the 2017 General Obligation Bond election.

POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat to hold Wine & Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend

In recognition of Jazz Appreciation Month, POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat is thrilled to announce a return for the third year of the POSTOAK Wine & Jazz Festival. Presented by Blue Sky Bank, this year’s festival will be held Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-3.

“The Wine & Jazz Festival continues to provide a unique experience for residents and travelers in northeast Oklahoma.” said Trisha Kerkstra, general manager at POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat. “Last year, we added a wine/jazz dinner on Friday night and a champagne jazz brunch on Sunday. They were so well received, we decided to add a few more surprises for this year. Thanks to our sponsors and the fabulous growing jazz talent in Tulsa, we are delighted to provide performance opportunities for professional and student musicians.”

Headlining the event is the lively 17-piece Swunky Face Big Band Orchestra, featuring acclaimed Tulsa vocalist Branjae.

“With Branjae’s captivating stage persona, coupled with the swing sound of Swunky Face, we’re confident festival goers will find it hard to stay in their lawn chairs,” said Kerkstra. “It promises to be a spirited and entertaining festival all around.” 

The Wine & Jazz Festival is supported by VisitTulsa, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau housed at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, as well as the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC).

“In addition to attracting national events to the Tulsa area, we also help cultivate and develop promising home-grown attractions,” said Ray Hoyt, president of VisitTulsa and Tulsa FMAC. “The POSTOAK Wine & Jazz Festival has already proven to be a runaway success, and we’re excited about the potential this event has to draw visitors from across the region.”

The Zuits, a high-energy swing, jazz and funk band, will kick off the music Saturday at 4 p.m. Also performing is bluesy jazz band Darrell Christopher and the Ingredients, the expressive Cynthia Simmons Quintet, and the hot jazz of Mischievous Swing, reminiscent of the sounds of French cafes and Gypsy camps.

Tickets are $15 each, with free admission for those 17 and under. Attendees will be able to purchase wine from some of Oklahoma’s best wineries and enjoy a variety of local food trucks. Additional events include a wine and jazz dinner Friday night and a champagne brunch Sunday morning.

Tickets and a variety of packages, including accommodations and meals, are on sale now through POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat’s website or by calling 918-425-2112.

Nestled in the Osage Hills, POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat is located ten minutes from downtown Tulsa. For more information on POSTOAK, visit postoaklodge.com.

7th Annual EuroMotor Extravaganza returns to Sand Springs this weekend

The Jaguar Club of Tulsa will host the 2017 Seventh Annual EuroMotor Extravaganza this weekend in downtown Sand Springs. The three day festivities will be held in and around the downtown Triangle Park, with the main show being held on Saturday, June 24th. 

There will be a 5:00 p.m. registration for this event at the Hampton Inn the day before, on the 23rd, and a Tailgate Party with BBQ to follow.

There will also be an 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. registration on the day of. This time frame also includes setup of the cars. At 10:30 a.m. all cars will be in place and there will be Participants Choice judging from then until 1:30 p.m. After the car show there will be an awards banquet at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Sand Springs from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

It is $30 to register one car and any additional cars are $10 each. The awards dinner is $20 per person. A link to the registration form can be found here.

This car show is in benefit of the Sand Springs Animal Shelter. There will be a silent auction going on during the show, all proceeds from it will go to the animal shelter. To donate to this auction please contact the shelter at 918-246-2543 or animalcontrol@sandspringsok.org